Review: The Girl Who Could Fly by Victoria Forester

Waterstone's Children's Book Prize

Piper McCloud isn’t like any other girl her age; actually she isn’t like any other girl of any age. Piper can fly. In the farming community of Lowland County this is not a good thing, so it seemed like the best idea all round for her to go to a top secret school for children with unusual abilities just like hers, abilities such as x-ray vision and telekinesis. At INSANE Piper soon settles in and makes friends, but she soon realises that not everything is as it seems and this might be the most dangerous place to be.

A strange mixture of Little House on the Prairie meets Heroes, with enough twists and turns to make you dizzy. From start to finish, this story of courage and defiance holds the reader and won’t let go. Piper is an irrepressible character, and her story is exciting, terrifying, and thoroughly enjoyable.

Review: The Seven Sorcerers by Caro King

Waterstone's Children's Book Prize

Ninevah is the only one who remembers her brother Toby, to everyone else its as if he never existed, and because she is the only one who remembers him, Nin knows she will be next. As Skerridge the Bogeyman removes all memory of Nin from her mother, she escapes to the Drift. Skerridge, who steals the children for the mysterious Mr Strood, has never lost a child before and he’s not going to let it happen now. Nin finds help in the form of Jonas who explains what is going on and helps her in this new world peopled by mudmen, tombfolk and the spirits of the once time rulers of this land, the Seven Sorcerers. Will they escape Skerridge and Strood? Can Nin find and rescue her brother Toby? What is the secret of the Seven Sorcerers?

In the best traditions of fairytales, this is a rich fantasy, sometimes dark and gruesome, populated with fabulous creatures and woven with mystery and magic. Its well-paced and gripping, told with humour and thoroughly enjoyable.

Review: Desperate Measures by Laura Summers

Waterstone's Children's Book Prize

The serious issues in this family drama are handled with warmth and humour. Twins Vicki and Rhianna, and their younger brother Jamie are in foster care. The twins are very different as Rhianna has been brain-damaged since birth. It’s their fourteenth birthday and they should be having fun, but foster parents Paul and Sarah can’t cope and decide to give the children up. Their fate lies in the hands of social worker Mrs Frankish, and it looks like the three will be split up and sent to different families and schools. They don’t want to go; they don’t want another foster family; something has to be done and Jamie has an idea…

This is an exciting, well-paced and moving family drama where serious issues such as loyalty, responsibility, and bullying are handled with warmth and humour. I felt for the three children: Vicki the fourteen year old who acts as mother to her brother and sister; Rhianna who knows that people treat her differently to her twin, Vicky; James who has problems with anger. Thought-provoking, and imaginative, this is a really good read.

Review: The Toymaker by Jeremy de Quidt

Waterstones Children's Book Prize

When Gustav, Mathias’ grandfather, is drunk he talks of a secret that men would kill for. Before Mathias can discover what the secret is, Gustav has an disagreement with a mysterious man then dies. Mathias is sold to and escapes from the menacing Dr Leiter. Then the hunt is on, for Mathias has a piece of paper his Grandfather had hidden in the lining of his coat. A piece of paper that might be the key to Gustav’s mysterious past and the secret he talked of. In a world of shadows and fear, Mathias is on a quest to stay alive and uncover the secret.

There is an eerie gothic quality to this novel. Yet while threaded through with scenes that are dark, terrifying, and violent, it is also exciting, atmospheric and intriguing. Well paced, with an inventive plot, it has a rather sudden ending.



Gary Blythe’s fabulous illustrations deserve a special mention. I first discovered his work some years ago in a picture book called Whale Song.

Review: Meteorite Strike by A.G. Taylor

Waterstones Children's Book Prize

A meteorite hits earth, unleashing an alien virus; its victims falling into a deep coma. On their way to join their father, Sara and Robert’s plane crashes in the Australian desert but they survive, and later begin to display some extraordinary powers. There is of course an unscrupulous agency (HIDRA) who capture, study, experiment and exploit those with new-found super-powers. Escape they must, but what awaits them in the world outside?

This is one of those adrenalin-rush, high impact books that teens love so much, but a great read nevertheless. With its dramatic start, high speed pace, and edge of the seat action, readers are hooked from the start and taken on a whirlwind flight to an ending that leaves you wanting more.

What a ride!